Maxime Bousquet's Surrealist Masterpiece in Paris: A Collector's Dream Home
In the heart of Paris, a magnificent duplex apartment has been transformed into a living canvas, where art and life intertwine under the visionary guidance of AD100 France interior designer Maxime Bousquet. This sprawling 3,000-square-foot residence, home to a discerning couple and their extensive art collection, redefines luxury living by blending surrealist influences with timeless design. Bousquet's two-and-a-half-year endeavor aimed to create a space that celebrates art without resembling a sterile gallery, offering a dynamic and deeply personal environment.
A Parisian Duplex Reimagined: Art, Architecture, and Surrealist Flair
Maxime Bousquet, a celebrated figure in interior design, embarked on a transformative journey to create a unique living space for a prominent art-collecting couple in Paris. This ambitious project involved a complete overhaul of a 3,000-square-foot duplex, spanning the top two floors of a historic building. Bousquet's vision was to craft an environment that not only housed a remarkable art collection but also provided a warm, inviting home. He successfully integrated pieces by art giants like Cocteau, Picasso, and Sterling Ruby into the apartment's fabric, ensuring that the artworks felt like an intrinsic part of daily life rather than mere exhibits.
The entrance immediately captivates with Bill Viola's video artwork, 'Bodies of Light,' displayed alongside a gracefully ascending, ribbon-like staircase. Throughout the residence, Bousquet experimented with diverse materials and textures. Rich hazelnut travertine covers expansive surfaces, complemented by the grandeur of Taj Mahal marble and the luminous beauty of Iranian onyx. These robust elements are thoughtfully paired with delicate features, such as a meticulously carved stone fireplace in the living room, flanked by exquisite blown crystal lamps sourced from Milan. Bousquet's keen eye for unique pieces led him to Galerie Jacques Lacoste, where he acquired bronze wall lights, still bearing the natural patina from their previous life illuminating a swimming pool, adding a touch of historical charm to the modern setting.
A significant architectural alteration was the connection of the two floors and the strategic lowering of ceiling heights to accommodate a new rooftop terrace. This outdoor oasis, reminiscent of Helena Rubinstein’s famous gardens, is envisioned to host a variety of sculptures, a dining area, and an outdoor fireplace, coming alive especially during the warmer months. The living room exudes sophisticated comfort, featuring 1940s armchairs by Otto Schultz around a 1950s coffee table by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. Artworks like Stephan Balkenhol's 'Man in White Shirt and Black Trousers' and Ser Serpas's 2023 painting contribute to the room's eclectic charm, while a unique rug and fireplace, both designed by Bousquet, anchor the space.
Surrealism, an art movement born in Paris nearly a century ago, profoundly influences Bousquet's design. He drew upon its avant-garde principles of unlocking the unconscious mind, incorporating dreamlike elements and unexpected motifs. This is particularly evident in the master suite, where portraits of faces, often fragmented and distorted in a style reminiscent of Salvador Dalí, are a recurring theme. The centerpiece, Mario Ceroli's 'Bocca della Verità' bed, features a striking pine face against a dramatic backdrop. The journey to the bathroom leads through a dressing room adorned with a Nadine Hautrive painting, a contemporary reinterpretation of Eileen Gray's iconic 'Le Destin' screen, rendered in a spectrum from deep midnight blue to vibrant red.
The dining room stands out as the apartment's most distinctly surrealist space. Its walls are entirely covered by Elvira Solana's fresco depicting the four seasons, with angular faces that evoke a 1940s aesthetic. Even in the principal bathroom, Bousquet's personal touch is present: alongside a monumental stone basin and a double shower featuring antique sculptures, a heart-shaped stool, designed by Bousquet himself, adds a whimsical yet grounding element. This stool, a 'little love letter' to his clients, perfectly complements the apartment's artistic grandeur, proving that thoughtful design can seamlessly coexist with masterpieces.
Maxime Bousquet's work in this Parisian duplex is a testament to his ability to craft highly personalized and art-integrated living spaces. His meticulous attention to detail, bold material choices, and embrace of surrealist principles have resulted in a home that is both a sophisticated sanctuary for art collectors and a profound statement in contemporary interior design. It challenges conventional notions of how art should be displayed and experienced, creating a dialogue between the inhabitants, their collection, and the surrounding environment.